I got a local school started in NASP, and I completed the training to train other instructors. Most of the program highlights have been covered here so I won’t rehash them. For those who might question its role in attracting young archers to traditional equipment and traditional bowhunting, I’ll just say: Was it the appearance of a longbow or recurve that put a smile on your face the first time you shot it? No, it was the experience of shooting the bow.
Whatever gets kids thinking that archery is fun is all good. Those kids that are prospects for traditional bowhunting will get a leg up with the shooting success they experience in NASP.
They will of course need good instructors and mentors to make the transition to traditional equipment if they choose to do that. One way to stimulate interest is to take part in public events focused on outdoor activities and be available to parents and kids who show some interest. Lots of outdoor retailers and the “game fair” organizers would be interested in having traditional archery and traditional bowhunting represented.
You might notice that NASP does not involve itself in promoting hunting. The program is not anti-hunting, it just sticks to its mission of getting kids hooked on archery and building their self-esteem and self-discipline in the process.
